Cencosud jumps ahead in South America

Cencosud became Colombia's second-largest retailer recently when it paid $2.6 billion to acquire Carrefour's 72 big-box stores, 16 convenience stores and multiple gas stations in the region. Cencosud now owns about 1,045 stores in South America, more than Wal-Mart's 950. Casino Groupe operates 2,143 South American stores under several brands.